Tag: writing

Oceans of Prompts

The day I decided to actually blog on this ol’ blog o’ mine three years after its birth, I did so because I had some words in my head that were calling to me. Really nagging me. Once I started typing, those words practically poured out, in the uncharted genre of poetry, no less. It was a strange sensation. Whenever I’ve written for work or school, while I’ve liked the end result, the writing process itself was like pulling teeth. What’s more, rather than the extensive editing I’ve usually done, I needed only minor edits before I felt confident in publishing that first post.

I figured, piece of cake; I can be a blogger. Had no idea what direction I wanted to go in or what style of writing I’d use (or try to use). Would anyone even want to read what I write? What I did know with certainty, however, was that the poem was a fluke. I’m not creative. Oh, I’d like to be creative, but I knew, realistically, I wouldn’t be writing any poems or fiction. After a lifetime of writing school essays and papers, sales proposals and reports, legal motions and briefs, I expected to primarily write opinion pieces about current events or music or books I like.

Then a strange thing happened. People started “liking” my first post and poem. Encouraging me. Following me! While reading, liking, and following their posts, I discovered the wonderful world of prompts. I responded to one and published my second post — another poem! Reading another follower’s posts, I was introduced to six-word story prompts and discovered that I can write little creative stories. Other prompts have inspired me to write a couple of flash fiction pieces. Fiction! Maybe I’m a little creative, after all.

Who knew so many prompts and challenge choices existed? For the past few days I’ve been trying to come up with a manageable system of keeping track of them all; trying to decide which ones I want to attempt and which ones I want to continue with. In the midst of it all, Fandango published his daily one word challenge prompt, “continue.” Not only did he publish the prompt, he also responded to it in a blog asking whether he should continue his dip into the sea of one word challenge hosts. That sly dog now has two posts today that people are commenting on and pinging back to, all while themselves using today’s “continue” prompt.

Well done, Fandango, well done. You should definitely continue hosting a daily challenge. This is only the second one I’ve responded to, but I’ve already decided yours is one I want to follow. Even if I never respond to another one, I enjoy reading the responses your prompts inspire. Plus, I love your sense of humor.

Response to https://fivedotoh.com/2018/06/30/fowc-with-fandango-continue/ 
 and to https://fivedotoh.com/2018/06/30/fowc-too-much-of-a-good-thing/

Cry for America: Cheers!

“I have reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block toward freedom is not the White citizen’s councilor or the Klu Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension, to a positive peace, which is the presence of justice; who constantly says, ‘I agree with you with the goals that you seek, but can’t agree with your methods of direct action.” — the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” 1963

Here’s to those who would replace “Black Lives Matter” with “white lives matter” or “all lives matter.” Here’s to those who call the police on unknown black men lingering in white coffee shops. Here’s to those who shrug and say “well, they thought he had a gun.” Here’s to those who say, “well, those illegals should know their children will be taken from them when they break our laws by crossing our border.” Here’s to those who say, “build that wall.” Cheers!

Everyone, lift your glasses and say “Cheers” to all those who have enabled the dismantling of American democracy. “Cheers” to the misguided voters who thought Hillary was just as bad as Trump. “Cheers” to the misguided voters who voted for some minor third-party candidate as a protest vote. “Cheers” to the misguided “voters” who decided not to bother voting at all on November 8, 2016.

Give a rousing “cheers” to Mitch McConnell, thief of Supreme Court seats. “Cheers” to Paul Ryan, purveyor of tax cuts for the wealthy and destroyer of safety nets for the rest of us.  “Cheers” to Representatives and Senators who vote to deprive millions of health care for their pre-existing conditions. “Cheers” to indifferent Congresspeople who fail to protect DACA Dreamers. “Cheers” to those members of Congress who vote to steal hard-earned Social Security benefits to pay for the tax cuts gifted to wealthy donors. “Cheers” to the hypocrits bought by the NRA.

Above all, an emphatic “Cheers” to our alleged president, who is reviled by most of the American people and the world. “Cheers” to our alleged comander-in-chief, master negotiator, who thinks he has forced North Korea to dismantle its nuclear capabilities. “Cheers” to the nazi-in-chief, who supports and foments bigotry, hatred, violence. “Cheers” to MAGA!

Note: This response to Stream of Consciousness Saturday was triggered by the MLK quote
Response to Daily Addictions prompt "indifferent"
Response to Word of the Day prompt "emphatically"
Image source: Emily Dabashinsky via American Icons Temple